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There’s a lot to learn about UVC. Whether you’re just getting started and wondering “What is UVC?” or you’re trying to sort out the difference between germs, pathogens, viruses, and bacteria, we’re here to help. We’ve assembled answers to many of the most frequently asked questions we hear. If you have a question that isn’t listed here, contact us, and we’ll get the answer for you.

About UVC Light?

Q.

What is UV light?

A.

Ultraviolet light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, the entire range of frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Divided into seven distinct regions in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency, it extends from radio waves to gamma rays. Within this spectrum, ultraviolet light falls between x-rays and visible light, with wavelengths measuring between 100 and 400 nanometers (nm).

Q.

What is UVC light?

A.

Ultraviolet light is further classified into three primary groups based on wavelength: Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB), and Ultraviolet C (UVC). UVC light has a wavelength range of 100 – 280 nanometers (nm) and is widely accepted as the most effective light to eradicate germs. Accordingly, it is sometimes referred to as Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI).

Q.

Is UVC light visible?

A.

Because the lower wavelength limit of human vision is around 400 nm, ultraviolet rays, including UVC, are invisible to the human eye.

About UVC Disinfection

Q.

What are pathogens?

A.

A pathogen is an organism that can cause a disease upon entering the body. Pathogens can be transmitted in several ways depending on the type: skin contact, bodily fluids, airborne particles, and coming in contact with a surface touched by an infected person. The most common types of pathogens are viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Examples of pathogens which present epidemic potential include novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), West Nile Virus, Ebola, E. coli, Influenza, and MERS.

Q.

Does UVC light destroy viruses?

A.

In research Safeology commissioned with Innovative Bioanalysis, an independent Level 3 Biosafety Laboratory, the Mobile Air Purifier 1800 from Safeology was proven to reduce aerosolized SARS-CoV-2. The device displayed a 98.44% reduction after 10 minutes, and achieved a 99.998% (4-Log) reduction after 20 minutes.

Q.

How does UVC disinfection work?

A.

UVC irradiation is a physical process that disrupts and damages the DNA and RNA of harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The destruction of the DNA and RNA leaves the organisms sterile, rendering them unable to function or reproduce. In simple terms, a sterile organism is in essence a dead organism. It cannot reproduce, spread, or cause disease.

Q.

How does UVC light prevent illness and diseases?

A.

Illnesses and diseases are caused by pathogens such as viruses and bacteria that grow and reproduce unchecked. Because exposure to UVC light prohibits organisms from reproducing, it reduces the number of pathogens to which people can become exposed.

About UVC Technology

Q.

Does UVC light impact materials in the surrounding environment?

A.

With long-term exposure, UVC light has the potential to damage plant life, reduce the lifespan of some plastics, and accelerate the fading of some colors and dyes.

Q.

What types of UVC light sources are used for disinfection?

A.

UVC light is delivered through lamps or LEDs. Lamp technology typically includes mercury lamps and pulsed xenon arc lamps. Lamp technology generally works faster, and is less expensive, than LED technology.

About Safeology

Q.

Who is Safeology?

A.

Safeology is a company dedicated to leveraging the science of light to reduce the spread of airborne viruses. Offering knowledge, products, and advisory services, UVC products from Safeology give people confidence and trust to breathe easy.

Q.

What experience does Safeology have in UVC cleaning?

A.

Safeology is guided by a team dedicated to the mission of creating cleaner indoor air. From the founder trained in medicine, to the CEO trained in physics, to the company’s Scientific Advisory Board, Safeology brings the industry’s most knowledgeable experts together around the science of UVC disinfection.

Q.

How do I know if Safeology is a good fit for our needs?

A.

Most companies selling UVC products do just that—sell products. Safeology goes far beyond that to create a partnership with our clients. Together, we work towards a common goal of creating indoor spaces that ultimately engender trust and assurance between companies and their customers.

About Products from Safeology

Q.

Which viruses do products from Safeology kill?

A.

Technically speaking, UVC light doesn’t kill viruses—it inactivates them by destroying their DNA. But once inactivated, they are unable to reproduce, which renders them essentially killed.

Q.

Where can products from Safeology be used?

A.

Germs are virtually everywhere. And Safeology can work virtually anywhere. From airports to zoos, and everything in between – commercial spaces, corporate offices, hospitals, clinics, hotels, cruise ships, venues, arenas, stadiums, parks, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, dorms, day cares – products from Safeology can inactivate airborne viruses and offer 24/7 protection of indoor environments.

Q.

How are products from Safeology different from other UVC products?

A.

Safeology combines the latest in UVC science with innovative technology to ensure outstanding UVC cleaning performance. Using statistical genome modeling, evidence-based experimentation, and computational dosage mapping combined with cloud-based software solutions, Safeology’s team of experts provide the most advance UVC cleaning technologies available.

Q.

How long does UVC inactivation take?

A.

In research Safeology commissioned with Innovative Bioanalysis, an independent Level 3 Biosafety Laboratory, the Mobile Air Purifier 1800 from Safeology was proven to reduce aerosolized SARS-CoV-2. The device displayed a 98.44% reduction after 10 minutes, and achieved a 99.998% (4-Log) reduction after 20 minutes.

About Pathogens

Q.

What’s the difference between pathogens, germs, viruses, and bacteria?

A.

Pathogens and germs are catch-all terms that encompasses viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic particles that can cause illness in humans. In modern science today, the term germ has been replaced with pathogen, but the two words are often used interchangeably

Q.

What are viruses?

A.

Viruses are made up of a piece of genetic code, such as DNA or RNA, protected by a coating of protein. Viruses invade host cells within the body, and use components of the host cell to replicate, producing more viruses. Examples of viral infections include Covid-19, Influenza, Common Cold, Measles, and Hepatitis.

Q.

What are bacteria?

A.

Bacteria are single-cell microorganisms that can live in just about any environment, including the body. Some bacteria are pathogenic and can cause infections. Some strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics making them difficult to treat. Examples of bacterial infections include E. coli, C. diff, salmonella, strep throat, and tuberculosis.

Q.

What are fungi?

A.

Of the millions of different fungi species, only a few hundred are known to cause sickness. Found just about anywhere, including on human skin, fungi can cause infection when they overgrow. Examples of fungal infections include yeast infections, ringworm, and athlete’s foot.

Q.

What is Covid-19?

A.

Covid-19 is a disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus, a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses transmitting between animals and people that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Q.

How does Covid-19 spread?

A.

The World Health Organization has determined that the novel coronavirus, the virus that causes Covid-19, is spread by contact with respiratory droplets. Those droplets are primarily spread from person to person through close contact of approximately six feet or less. They can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

Q.

Can UVC light inactivate SARS-CoV-2?

A.

In research Safeology commissioned with Innovative Bioanalysis, an independent Level 3 Biosafety Laboratory, the Mobile Air Purifier 1800 from Safeology was proven to reduce aerosolized SARS-CoV-2. The device displayed a 98.44% reduction after 10 minutes, and achieved a 99.998% (4-Log) reduction after 20 minutes.

While we make every effort to ensure this information is accurate, we make no warranty or guarantee to the completeness or accuracy of this information. Safeology disclaims any liability to persons or property resulting from the use or reliance upon this information.